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Ravens-Raiders Breakdown
Posted: Thursday January 11, 2001 10:19 PM
CNNSI.com NFL analyst Pat Kirwan breaks down the championship games and explains which team has the edge.
Matchups: Offense | Defense | Special Teams | Coaching
| OFFENSE |
| Ravens | | Raiders |
| Trent Dilfer has played two efficient and mistake-free games in the playoffs. He has shown toughness and last week he made the big throw to Shannon Sharpe to set up Baltimore’s only touchdown. Dilfer is now 9-1 as a starter since taking over for Tony Banks. | QB
 | Rich Gannon continues to play up to his Pro Bowl selection, completing 66% of his passes without a turnover against a strong Miami pass defense. He was able to step up against the pass rush and find the open receiver or run with the ball, as he did five times gaining four first downs. Gannon completed his first six passes to six different players. |
| Jamal Lewis carried the load in the win over Denver, but was shut down against Tennessee. With his size and speed, Lewis can dominate a game. Watch to see if he has to cut back a lot - when he has to, his effectiveness is diminished. | RB
 | The Raiders continue to get the most out of their personnel in this area. Eight players carried the ball against Miami, which kept the Dolphins’ run defense off balance. Tyrone Wheatley was able to pick up the tough inside yardage necessary to maintain ball control and Terry Kirby contributed as both a ball carrier and receiver out of the backfield. |
| Qadry Ismail and Pat Johnson have not had big seasons. The Ravens wideouts must make plays against the aggressive and gambling Oakland corners. They will see plenty of man-to-man press coverage. TE Shannon Sharpe has made big plays for this team all year. Sharpe started the season slow but finished strong, leading the team with 67 receptions. | WR / TE
 | Against the Dolphins, Tim Brown was able to get open through motion and was used on the fake reverse to freeze the upfield pass rush. Both James Jett and Andre Rison caught passes when mismatched against nickel and dime backs in their three-receiver package. TE Rickey Dudley has had an off season. This week the matchup with backup Corey Harris favors him. He could catch a few big passes. |
| The Ravens’ line physically dominated the Broncos two weeks ago, but did not play particularly well last week vs. Tennessee. Oakland’s defensive line has more size and plays a more physical game than Tennessee. | LINE
| The interior linemen were able to reach MLB Zach Thomas through combination blocks and wider splits while neutralizing the defensive tackles. The Raiders use the same blocking scheme regardless of the ball carrier. |
| DEFENSE |
| Ravens | | Raiders |
| Despite giving up some yards on the ground to Eddie George, the Ravens’ defensive line was terrific in the red zone shutting down the run, forcing the Titans to settle for field goals. With Sam Adams, Tony Siragusa, Rob Burnett and Michael McCrary, the Ravens have one of the best front four in the league in stopping the run. | LINE
 | The run defense allowed 96 yards per game this season. The defensive front is especially tough against the inside run, which is Baltimore’s favorite spot. |
| Pro Bowl MLB Ray Lewis followed up his Defensive Player of the Year award with a stellar game vs. Tennessee, returning his second interception of the playoffs for a touchdown to seal the win. He was all over the field and continues to be the physical and emotional leader of this record setting defense. | LB
| William Thomas led the league with six interceptions by a linebacker. He has also forced five fumbles. Greg Biekert is solid against the run but suspect in pass coverage. |
| After giving up over 400 yards passing to the Jets in the last game of the regular season, the Ravens’ secondary has rebounded with two very good efforts. Baltimore’s corners do an excellent job in run support, which helps prevent long runs by the opposition. | DB
| Nickelback Tory James intercepted a pass on the opening possession for Miami and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown. He also picked off a pass in the forth quarter. Eric Allen added an interception to the four he had in December and Charles Woodson recovered a fumble. |
| SPECIAL TEAMS |
| Ravens | | Raiders |
| The Ravens blocked two field goals and returned one for a score against the Titans. Kicker Matt Stover had a Pro Bowl season and has not missed in the playoffs. Punter Kyle Richardson led the NFL with 35 kicks inside the 20-yard line. |
| Sebastian Janikowski has hit 20 of his last 25 field goals but is only 9 of 19 from beyond 40 yards. Punter Shane Lechler had another brilliant day against Miami, with a 46.8-yard punt average and one punt out of bounds at the four-yard line. |
| COACHING |
| Ravens | | Raiders |
| Brian Billick’s team was outplayed on the stat sheet, but showed resiliency and mental toughness and found away to beat the Titans. The Ravens are a confident group that does not make mistakes when the game is on the line. |
| During preparations for the Miami game, Jon Gruden reportedly told his team that players are defined by the playoffs and challenged them to “step up and change your lives.” The team responded with the first shutout in Miami’s 38-game playoff history. |
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